David Young - Horizons Review (20th December release)

The five track E.P. horizons was produced and mixed by James Harbidge at The Twang's own 'Jump Studios' in Birmingham. This is the same studio where they recorded their latest release '10:20'. The EP will be released via digital download at www.davidyoungmusic.bandcamp.com and CD at www.davidyoung.bigcartel.com on December 20th.

Track listing:Stay the Night TattooedSilhouette Love SongDrive

David Young is an alternative folk singer/songwriter in a similar fashion to Frank turner’s calmer side. Having only been on the circuit for three years, David has already gained quite an impressive reputation. Playing over 190 UK shows and supporting amongst others Beans on Toast (who feature as Frank Turner’s support for 2014), this just shows how driven and talented David is after three short years (the future will hold many great things).

This isn’t David’s first release for those who don’t know, David has already released a 6-track EP independently, which is no easy feat. This EP not only won him ‘young songwriter of the month’ in Ryan’s gig guide magazine but also saw David praised by critics and Nick J Townsend for his live performances. It’s only a short period of time before his new E.P. Horizons is released and will be praised in a similar light. Each track on this E.P. has its own vibe but remains extremely commercial. In my opinion, the E.P. balances sing-along choruses, intricate guitar work and well-placed melodies while having a slight edge like an overbite. I say overbite, as David doesn’t rely on being edgy and the E.P. definitely doesn’t rely on that edge element, they are encompassed as a natural compliment to his songwriting talent and craftsmanship.

Horizons manages to have high, uplifting and low, mellow moments and takes the listener through a well rounded journey for an E.P. Due to the limited tracks featured on E.P.’s, it can be hard to find an overall balance where the tracks individually sound incredible, while the E.P. in its entirely lacks a natural journey for the listener. With Horizons, you get a well ranged musical journey from start to finish which sounds great as a E.P. The first two tracks (stay the night and tattooed) feature great uplifting energy similar to that bounce vibe found in tracks by Get Cape, Wear cape fly, Taylor Swift or Colbie Caillat. The E.P. does mellow out for two songs (Silhouette and Drive) to showcase a somber songwriting approach. The two songs in question still keep the listener engaged throughout with well-placed texture and vocals that drag the audience deeper into the emotional nature of the songs.

The standout track on the E.P. is Love Song in my opinion. This track has the complete package and showcases it perfectly. Love song highlights David’s vocal talent clearly (at certain points in this song, it almost sounds like Billy Joe – Green day in a striped back fashion similar to good riddance) coupled with a catchy sing-along chorus and a great groove to sway throughout.

The other four tracks do David justice and are by no means average. They all showcase slightly different elements of his songwriting and vocal/instrumental talents but as a complete package Love Song just have that crisp commercial, bouncy and edgy acoustic style down perfectly.

Most bands and solo acts struggle to find their signature sound with double the amount of material that David has released but this E.P. has a signature style instantly from the first track, which will have listeners recalling many great acoustic/solo artists. The advantage here is Horizons sounds fresh and unique while sounding similar simultaneously.

A perfect release for the ‘commercial’ Christmas holiday and with talent in abundance, this E.P. will remain a favourite all year long. If you ever get the chance to see David live, I would highly recommend it if his reputation is anything to go by.